Paper Crafting Photography Props You Need for Better Photos
I've been getting some buzz lately on my socials about my project photography and where I get some of the things in my scenes. So I thought I'd make a little blog post about where you can pick up some of the items you may have seen in my shots the past year or so.
I'll break this post down into sections as best I can for you! Note: This blog does contain affiliate links. This is at no extra cost to you. When you choose to shop my links, I receive a small commission from the affiliate store, which helps support the time and love that I put into my projects and blog. This helps me continue to share ideas, tips and tutorials with you for free!
Build a Foundation: Frames & Trays
Trays, frames and wood slabs are great foundations for your project scenes. I use these frames and trays that I have found at my local craft stores and on Amazon.
In the above photo, I've used my wood slice layered with a frame.
Pick up some foundation pieces:
- Barnwood Frame (This is the one I own from Hobby Lobby)
- Distressed Beveled Frame (This is the one I own from Hobby Lobby)
- Basswood Slice (I bought mine from Michael's)
- 4x6 Frames from Amazon
- Decorative Wood Trays from Amazon
- Basswood Slices from Amazon
Sharp and Blunt: Scissors & Spoons
You probably have scissors already in your craft room. But do you have pretty scissors? These scissors aren't just for prop photography, which you can see an example of below. I also use these scissors for cutting thread and small trims.
Pickup these three scissors from Amazon:
Want to see other options? Check out all of these embroidery scissors! Or head to your local antique market or flea market to see what you can find.
Teaspoons are another option for your project photos. I like to use them to hold glitter glass, gems and more. In the photo above, I use one of my teaspoons to hold glitter glass.
Pick Up These Dessert/Teaspoons:
- Vintage Style Dessert/Coffee Spoons (the set I own)
- Silver Floral Teaspoon Set (a set I've been eyeing!)
Top to Bottom: Doilies, Jars & More
Doilies, pedestals, jars, bowls, coasters--the possibilities are literally endless for adding texture and height. Both elements are important in setting a photography scene. Both add dimension and keep your photo from feeling flat. These two photos show (above and below) show some of my favorite items in my craft room and on my photography cart.
Pick up Some of These Items:
- Handmade Pottery: the small white dish and the small brown and teal dish I got from my friend, Cora, who makes pottery and art--you can reach out to her on her instagram for a custom order of pottery
- Crochet Doilies
- Marble Coasters
- Ceramic bowls and brush vase: I purchased these Crate Paper ones several years ago. You might still be able to find them on eBay to find them second hand, or you can look on Etsy for something similar that is handmade
- Cupcake Stand
In Your Craft Room and Beyond: Paper Craft Products & Other Creative Supplies
There are lots of items in my craft room that serve another purpose that I find so helpful in styling my project photography. Acrylic stamp blocks serve as risers to raise your project up off the foundation or background. I also use jar lids or small embellishment jars to do the same.
And of course, adding brushes, craft scissors, jewels and other products you used to make your project add to your scene! If your project is floral themed, try adding faux florals. If you have a food theme, try adding something from your kitchen (I added a honey dipper and teacup full of pearls and paper flowers to my Lemon Bee canvas photo, above).
Other ideas include lit candles (just be careful with the flames!), spools of thread or ribbon, baskets, albums, apothecary jars full of supplies, rhinestone pickers, palette knives, paints, lace, stamps, pads of paper, jewelry dishes and more!
Get creative and don't be afraid to try things out. Remember, things always look different through a camera lens, so be sure to look at your scene through your camera as you set it up and adjust. For more tips on photography, check out my five part series on taking better project photos.
Here's just a handful of some of the things in these photos:
- Acrylic Stamping Blogs with Grid Lines
- Brushes
- Small Scissors
- Tim Holtz Storage Tins
- Glitter Glass and Beads
- Butterflies and Bees
- My favorite place to shop for Lace and Trims is Reneabouquets and the Lovely Lace Shoppe
- Brown Jar Candle (you can see more stunning hand-poured candles from Anita Apothecary)
- Cast Iron Cauldron (I like to use this in my Halloween photography)
- Ceramic Jewelry Dish
- Wooden Spools for storing ribbons (I use these to store my Tim Holtz velvet trims on)
- Honey Dippers
- Rhinestone Picker (this comes in handy for placing all your gems on projects!)
- Apothecary Jars (I use these to store my paper flowers in and in my photos)
- Aqua Basket (you can also check these out on my IKEA Kallax shelf in this blog post on organization)
Until next time, happy crafting!
Adrienne
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